AUSTIN, Texas. — As No. 18 Iowa State struggled to get anything going, offensively, in the first half against No. 14 Texas, the Cyclones' star running back, David Montgomery, sat in his team’s locker room with Aaron Hillmann, the team’s director of player development, as both watched the game.

There was nothing Montgomery could do to help the Cyclones as he served a suspension, sitting out the first half of Iowa State’s 24-10 loss to the Longhorns. So Montgomery watched, warmed up, waited and learned a valuable lesson.

"I learned so much being out the first half, not being able to stand on the sidelines with my guys," Montgomery said. "That probably hurt the most, knowing that I (couldn't) be there to give those guys tips and reminders and keys to the game — what they see and what they think we can do better. That’s tough to see. (It was) definitely a lesson learned. I let my emotions overtake the game. I can’t let retaliation seep in and do what it does best.”

Iowa State never did get going, offensively, and never could climb out of the early hole. The loss ended Iowa State’s shot at playing in the Big 12 Conference title game. Missed tackles and troubles in the trenches plagued the Cyclones all night. Not having Montgomery for the first half didn’t help either.

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Kene Nwangwu got to start in Montgomery’s place, finishing with 31 yards on the ground in the first half. Johnnie Lang also got some shots rushing for 22 yards in the first half. Even Sheldon Croney Jr. saw the field. But the three couldn’t overcome Iowa State’s troubles on the offensive line. Things got so bad that, by the time Montgomery could play, Iowa State couldn’t lean on him as much as they hoped, having to deviate from their run-heavy game plan.

“David did everything he could possibly do to impact the game when he got himself back out there,” Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said after the game. “The unfortunate part of it is, you’re playing a different kind of football when you’re down 14 — when he came into the game.”

Montgomery finished with 10 carries for 33 yards and Iowa State’s lone touchdown. But by the time it came, Iowa State was well on its way to a loss. It all ended up being a valuable learning lesson for Montgomery. But, he said, he had faith in Iowa State’s other running backs to fill his void. He said he even liked what he saw.

“What those guys are capable of doing — it’s amazing to see what will happen in the future,” Montgomery said. “Those guys are amazing running backs and do some crazy things with the ball. They’ll get more opportunities to show what they can do.”

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) can't make it into the end zone to convert a two point conversion and tie the game during the Valero Alamo Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, in San Antonio. Washington State would go on to win 28-26. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) tries to dive into the end zone during the Valero Alamo Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, in San Antonio. Washington State would go on to win 28-26. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) catches a pass during the Valero Alamo Bowl on Friday, Dec. 28, 2018, in San Antonio. Washington State takes a 21-10 lead over Iowa State into halftime. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) is hit by Washington State defensive back Hunter Dale (26) and another defender, partially obscure, during the second half of the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 28, 2018, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) The Associated Press

AMES, IA - OCTOBER 27: Running back David Montgomery #32 of the Iowa State Cyclones breaks away from linebacker Dakota Allen #40 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders while rising for yards in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 40-31 over the Texas Tech Red Raiders. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) Getty Images

Iowa State's David Montgomery does his favorite Fortnight dance in response to an audience question during the PRIMESPORT Kickoff Luncheon on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018, in San Antonio. Iowa State takes on Washington State in the Valero Alamo Bowl on Friday. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery speaks to members of the press during a press conference on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018, in San Antonio. Iowa State takes on Washington State in the Valero Alamo Bowl on Friday. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery looks over at Brian Peavy as he speaks during a press conference on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018, in San Antonio. Iowa State takes on Washington State in the Valero Alamo Bowl on Friday. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery speaks during a press conference on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018, in San Antonio. Iowa State takes on Washington State in the Valero Alamo Bowl on Friday. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) breaks a tackle by Drake defensive back Alex Rogers (9) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in Ames, Iowa. Iowa State won 27-24. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) The Associated Press

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) is tackled by Drake defenders Zac Rujawitz (54) and Connor Willis (37) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in Ames, Iowa. Iowa State won 27-24. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) The Associated Press

Iowa State running back David Montgomery tries to break a tackle by Drake linebacker Connor Willis, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) The Associated Press

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) scores on an 18-yard touchdown reception ahead of Kansas State defensive back Kevion McGee (14) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames, Iowa. Iowa State won 42-38. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) The Associated Press

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) celebrates with Iowa State's Collin Olson (63) after rushing for a touchdown to make the score 41-38 during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Iowa State would go on to win 42-38. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) rushes for a touchdown to make the score 41-38 during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Iowa State would go on to win 42-38. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) celebrates with Iowa State's Collin Olson (63) after rushing for a touchdown to make the score 41-38 during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Iowa State would go on to win 42-38. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) rushes for a touchdown to make the score 41-38 during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Iowa State would go on to win 42-38. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) scores a touchdown past Texas linebacker Gary Johnson (33) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) The Associated Press

Iowa State running back David Montgomery, front left, runs the ball as he is tackled by Baylor linebacker Clay Johnston, right, during the first half Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Ames. Matthew Putney, AP

Iowa State running back David Montgomery walks off the field after a play during the first half Nov. 10, 2018, vs. Baylor in Ames. Montgomery was ejected for fighting in the second half. Matthew Putney/AP

Iowa State running back David Montgomery, front left, runs the ball as he is tackled by Baylor linebacker Clay Johnston, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Ames. Matthew Putney/AP

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) is tackled by Kansas linebacker Denzel Feaster (18) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Lawrence, Kan., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. Orlin Wagner/AP

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) is tackled by Kansas defensive end Brian Lipscomb, back, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lawrence, Kan., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. Orlin Wagner/AP

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) celebrates with fans after an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Charlie Neibergall, AP

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) breaks a tackle by Texas Tech defensive back Damarcus Fields (23) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) The Associated Press

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) breaks a tackle by Texas Tech defensive back Damarcus Fields (23) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Charlie Neibergall, AP

FILE - In this Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018 file photo, Iowa State running back David Montgomery runs up field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Akron, in Ames, Iowa. This season, four Big 12 backs are averaging at least 100 yards rushing per game in conference action. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File) The Associated Press

Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy (15) looks to pass as he gets a block from teammate David Montgomery (32) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against West Virginia, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) The Associated Press

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) runs from West Virginia cornerback Hakeem Bailey (24) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) The Associated Press

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) looks for some running room in the first half of a NCAA college football game against TCU in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. (Bob Booth/Star-Telegram via AP) The Associated Press

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) takes the hand off from quarterback Zeb Noland (4) in the first half of a NCAA college football game in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. (Bob Booth/Star-Telegram via AP) The Associated Press

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) breaks up the middle of the TCU defense in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. (Bob Booth/Star-Telegram via AP) The Associated Press

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) runs from Akron cornerback Kyron Brown (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Ames, Iowa. Charlie Neibergall/AP

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) is pushed out of bounds by Oklahoma's Parnell Motley (11) during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018 in Ames. Oklahoma takes a 24-10 lead into halftime. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) dives over Akron linebacker Brian Bell (10) for a one-yard touchdown run in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Ames, Iowa. Charlie Neibergall/AP

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) runs from Akron cornerback Kyron Brown (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) The Associated Press

FILE - In this Sept. 8, 2018, file photo, Iowa defensive back Amani Hooker, center, tackles Iowa State running back David Montgomery, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game,in Iowa City, Iowa. The 18th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers (2-1) haven’t been the dominant team everyone expected them to be and, following their home loss to BYU, are looking to reset the season in their Big Ten opener against Iowa. Iowa (3-0) has been one of the most dominant defensive teams in the nation. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney, File) The Associated Press

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) celebrates his touchdown during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018 in Ames. Oklahoma would go on to win 37-27. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) is pushed out of bounds by Oklahoma's Parnell Motley (11) during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018 in Ames. Oklahoma takes a 24-10 lead into halftime. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) is tackled by Oklahoma's Parnell Motley (11) during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018 in Ames. Oklahoma would go on to win 37-27. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) dives into the end zone during their football game against Oklahoma at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018 in Ames. Oklahoma would go on to win 37-27. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) jumps over the line during their football game against Oklahoma at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018 in Ames. Oklahoma takes a 24-10 lead into halftime. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) gets stopped by Iowa defensive end A.J. Epenesa (94) during the Cy-Hawk NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) runs the ball as Iowa defensive back Michael Ojemudia makes the tackle during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney) The Associated Press

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) gets taken down by South Dakota State linebacker Dalton Cox (53) Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during their game at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames. Michael Zamora/The Register

Iowa State running back David Montgomery, right, is tackled by Iowa linebacker Djimon Colbert during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 13-3. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney) The Associated Press

Iowa State Cyclones running back David Montgomery (32) is face masked by Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback A.J. Green (4) during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Ames. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State running back David Montgomery leaps into the end zone to give the Cyclones a 24-0 lead at halftime over Kansas at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017. Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

Iowa State Cyclones running back David Montgomery (32) dives in for a touchdown to put the Cyclones back up 41-34 during the second half of their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Ames. Oklahoma State would go on to win 49-42. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State Cyclones running back David Montgomery (32) is tackled during the first half of their football game against Oklahoma State at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Ames. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State Cyclones running back David Montgomery (32) celebrates his touchdown putting the Cyclones up 13-6 during the first half of their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Ames. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State Cyclones running back David Montgomery (32) runs around Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive end Jarrell Owens (93) during the first half of their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Ames. Brian Powers/The Register

Redshirt senior quarterback Kyle Kempt (17) hands off to sophmore running back David Montgomery (32) during their football game against Kansas at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, in Ames.
Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State sophomore running back David Montgomery (32) is tackled by Iowa senior defensive back Miles Taylor (19) during the first half of their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Ames. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State sophomore running back David Montgomery poses for a photo during the Iowa State football team media day at Bergstrom Indoor Practice Facility on the Iowa State campus in Ames on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017. Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

FILE - In this Oct. 28, 2017, file photo, Iowa State running back David Montgomery runs from TCU defenders Travin Howard (32), Ty Summers (42) and Chris Bradley (56) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Ames, Iowa. Montgomery leads the Big 12 with eight rushing touchdowns and is the second-leading rusher with 716 yards. Iowa State plays at West Virginia on Saturday, Nov. 4. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File) The Associated Press

FILE - In this Sept. 9, 2017, file photo, Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) runs from Iowa defensive back Michael Ojemudia, left, during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ames, Iowa. Montgomery is averaging 5.7 yards per carry. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File) The Associated Press

In this Oct. 15, 2016, Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) runs during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas, in Austin, Texas. Montgomery averaged 5.2 yards per carry and closed the season with 141 yards against West Virginia. Michael Thomas, AP